Chinese Diesel Air Heaters no 18. Motorhome Install part one.

The aim of this video is to give some knowledge and hints for a DIY diesel heater install in a motorhome or a caravan.

Before you start there are a number of considerations.

1. The environment in which you operate. Do you plan trips during a mild Queensland (Australia) winter, or do you travel during the freezing cold of a north Canadian winter.

2. What sort of insulation do you have in your motorhome or caravan.

3. What fuel delivery system will you have? Use the main fuel tank or use a separate fuel tank.

4. What is your power storage capacity? How long do you wish to run the heater? These heaters require amps to both start and run. At a high setting these heaters will draw 3 amps per hour or 72 AH a day. Do you have the battery capacity to run the heater?

5. What size heater? What size can you fit? Be aware many proponents of these heaters state you should get a smaller heater and run it hard to prevent carbon buildup. I have the opposite opinion as you will see from previous videos. My view is it is better to have a bigger heater running slower. Less noise, less fuel consumption and less current draw. Then every month or so, depending on use, run full power for 30 mins to burn off any carbon deposits. If your install is gold standard you will have minimal carbon deposits during use.

6. Be aware that all three heaters shown here have the same fan motor, the same dosing pump, the same glow plug, the same controllers and ECU, giving you the same current draw for the same Hz setting (power setting). This means the 2 Kw heater runs flat out to provide its max output of 2 KW, and consumes approx 3 amps per hour, and approx 400 ml of diesel per hour.
The 5 Kw heater runs half speed to produce 2 KW, uses approx half the diesel and has half the current draw.

Warm travels. JMcK

[belumptuous]

A silicone baking sheet used for cooking makes a good gasket for between the metal base plate and floor. It not only makes a good seal but is a heat barrier too. Can use the baseplate as a template for cutting the baking sheet to the right shape. No messy silicon grease or sealant required then. Great videos John, you have taught me so much about these heaters thanks.

[BDL]

This 2 part video series on Chinese diesel heater installation, I first thought was possibly over done, I was very wrong, this is such an informative and very heplful video, John is very knowledgeable, and gives great insight as to why, and how things should be done a certain way, it is well worth the time to view these videos, Thank you so much.

[tomwilliam]

Thank you for that video. You certainly do quality work and you leave no stone unturned. Probably the best install of a diesel heater that I have seen so far. Thanks again

[gavinfitzgerald]

Your series is unmatched, and anyone looking to install a diesel heater is a must. Thank you for you years of experience. Looking forward to the next install video.

[natehess]

There is no man that I enjoy watching Listining to more than you sir! U must b one of the best engineers all around I've came across!! And my father was an engineer for Medtronic comp for 48 yrs developing pace maker leads. Still has the #1 seller in the world today the5076 and many more. I'd love to meet u if I ever come to Auzzie land. Everything u do is so complete and explained so well. Thoroughly enjoye watching your channel again! 👏 well done sir!

[mrknesiah]

The one I bought from Amazon for $175 was awesome and extremely efficient. I installed it inside my conversion van and exhausted under the vehicle to maximize heat absorption. I have two each of CO sensors smoke detectors and they've never been triggered. Despite Northeast winters, I rarely needed to run it higher than the lowest setting.

[johnmck]

Hi Nick, the heater fan works well providing there are minimum restrictions (no tight turns). In boats it is not uncommon to have 8 m of ducting with no issues.

You can also add to existing ducting in many cases.

Yes, sometimes a computer fan at the duct outlet can be helpful. But try it first without the fan. JMcK

[UtahRoadbase]

This is my second time watching the series (taking notes this time) and I have to tell you how great your videos are. SO informative! Now I watch other install videos and cringe when I see them using soft fuel line or mounting their pump straight and so on. Thanks for all the valuable information. Now I just have to wait for the snow to melt to measure my RV. It's so helpful to be armed with an understanding of what I need to do. Thanks again!

[ebptube]

As I will be installing a 5kW heater next year in my old motor home I'm thankful for all the instructions and advices you give so freely! I enjoy the skills and consientioness at display!

[josephmccamish]

Thanks so much John! You are keeping a lot of people warm at night! 🥵

[kickboxs]

I watched this series from beginning to end within the last week. Such an awesome coincidence to see a new upload.

[frederick]

Thanks for the dc power consumption numbers. 👍

[RyouConcord]

Discovered your channel from Ladi & Margaret including clips from your channel and highly recommending your content. Thank you so much for uploading!! This is instrumental to my van build!

[EonOne]

John is back!! Thanks for all the great info. Cheers from Canada!

[FirstSuiGeneris]

_Nicely done! In the last few installs, I have used a metal square electrical box to help make a so-called turret for more protection! I also use a header wrap to cut back on the exhaust pipe heat! For my own, I also place two cooling fans with a heat sensor to keep the body cooler for a faster cooldown. It also had an extra bonus of maintaining the flux of temperature with much more control in a small area by a happy accident._

[herberthilliker]

I watch the install from beginning to end you did an excellent job very good keep up the good work thank you

[johnmck]

Hi James

Thanks for your feedback.

The polyurethane foam I have dealt with in over 50 years in Australia, NZ, and some Med countries absorbs water like a sponge.

In my early working life I have done business with factories with cold room roofs had to be replaced as they were dangerously sagging due to water absorption into the polyurethane insulation causing poor insulation and massive weight gain.

I have much experience with major boat problems where pour in place polyurethane was used for buoyancy, but did the exact opposite.

German built Bavaria yachts have refrigeration issues after a few years due to water absorption into the polyurethane foam.

In my own 1999 Bavaria 46 foot sailboat we had cooling issues until I drilled holes in the bottom of the cold box and drained out more than 2 litres of water.

In Australia now, no one in their right mind uses polyurethane foam for insulation purposes, unless well sealed against moisture vapour absorption.

Perhaps we are talking about different products.

Cheers. JMcK

[passenger]

Excellent Review / Advice AND Tutorial 👍 Second to None Mate. Keep up the good and informative work John 👍

[andrejmjansen]

Thansk for all very clear video's from Andre in The Netherlands!

[citytrees]

All the details I need to see - great instructions.